Pregnancy Week 14
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Inside Pregnancy Week 14
Your baby’s arms are growing longer and becoming more proportionate to the body. The bones continue to harden, the liver is producing bile, and the spleen is producing red blood cells. The brain’s development has given rise to a new range of expressions, from grimace, to frowning, to squinting, the muscle contractions guiding these facial expressions reveal the new capabilities of the fetus. For boys, the prostate is growing, while for girls the ovaries have migrated from the abdomen to the pelvis. The skin is still transparent. The baby is over 4” long, and weighs just under 2 ounces, or about the size of a letter. The second trimester begins, marking the end of the most critical development, and best of all the risk of miscarriage is now greatly diminished.
Pregnancy Symptoms You May Feel During Week 14
Mood swings may start to be more problematic at this point in the pregnancy. Tears may erupt at the oddest of moments. Anger and frustration may flare unexpectedly. Sad spells may surprise you. Giddy moments are a welcome reprieve. All is due to hormones surging. No need to worry, you are not going crazy, even though it might feel that way at times. Of course, this is not the same as a persistent sadness. If that continues more than two weeks, consult your doctor.
Among the skin issues of pregnancy, is the growth of moles. While it is normal occurrence, you still want to have your physician take a look at any moles that have changed in size color or texture.
Another symptom to arise in the second trimester is round ligament pain. This pain is caused by the growing uterus stretching muscles and ligaments on the lower sides of the abdomen. Getting up suddenly, or switching positions rapidly can bring these pains on, so try to move gently from one position to the next. Remember to put up your feet and rest when possible, too.
Visit With the Obstetrician
You might discuss the possibility of an amniocentesis with your doctor. This is especially true if you are over 35 years of age, have a family history of genetic disorders, or received screening test results that indicated a possibility of a problem. The procedure is typically done between the 15th and 18th week of pregnancy and involves a needle being inserted through the abdomen and collecting some amniotic fluid to test for genetic and neural tube disorders. It is highly effective at determining the presence of such problems, 99% for neural tube, up to 100% for genetic disorders. However, there is a risk in the range of .3 %, of causing miscarriage. Discuss the risks, and benefits as well as the procedure itself thoroughly with your doctor. Don’t be afraid to ask everything you are curious, or worried about. It’s important to know all the necessary facts when making a decision about such tests.
Preparing for Baby
While planning the nursery, look carefully at the bedding choices. Bumper pads for instance are attractive, but now considered a hazard and put babies at increased for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Other risks associated with bedding for SIDS include blankets, comforters, stuffed animals and any other material that decreases air circulation in baby’s sleeping area. Also, thick piled sheets are not considered prudent choices. Instead of blankets, put your baby to sleep in a blanket sleeper or sleep sac.
Pregnancy Lifestyle
Today’s pregnant women don’t dress in dreary tents, or try to hide their bulging baby belly. No, today we celebrate the baby bump. There is even a growing industry of maternity photo sessions. How will you celebrate the process of growing a new life, the changes happening within you as baby grows? Keeping a photo diary has become a popular option. Now is the time to start recording the growth of your baby belly, as you just now may be seeing the first hints of a protruding abdomen. Take a photo in same pose and place every week or two. As the pregnancy progresses, and your growth explodes, take them more frequently. It will be a lovely reminder and keepsake and someday your little “bump” will enjoy seeing their first photos, in utero!